controversial

[kon-truh-vur-shuhl] / ˌkɒn trəˈvɜr ʃəl /

ADJECTIVE

at issue

Synonyms

STRONGEST

contentious disputed dubious questionable

WEAK

arguable argumentative contended contestable controvertible debateable disputable disputatious doubtable doubtful dubitable in dispute litigious moot open to discussion open to question polemical suspect uncertain under discussion

Antonyms

STRONGEST

certain definite sure

WEAK

agreeable incontrovertible peaceful uncontroversial undisputed undoubted unquestionable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Another, more controversial, idea is for the Fed to pay a lower interest rate on bank reserves above a certain threshold, Duffie said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

An independent press known for publishing books by controversial authors including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Melania Trump, Skyhorse is a real publisher with real distribution.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026

Over the past decade, “brand safety”—the practice of ensuring ads don’t appear next to inappropriate or controversial material—has become a significant focus of the ad industry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Ticket headaches have added to a controversial run-up to the Games for LA28, which also faced backlash after chairman Casey Wasserman was mentioned in the Epstein files released in February.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

There was nothing even a little bit controversial about the second edition of The Landry News.

From "The Landry News" by Andrew Clements

Vocabulary lists containing controversial

Against All Odds: Contra and Counter

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Nothing But the Truth

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100 SAT words Beginning with "C"

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